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January 2005, World Apple Report Highlights

Biggest Stories of 2004
Each year, the World Apple Report summarizes the news stories of the previous year that are likely to have the greatest long-term impact on the world apple business. Two leviathans, China and Wal-Mart, topped the list as both continued to shake up many facets of the apple business. Turmoil among retailers and the increased pressure for traceability were the next most important stories. Other key stories included debates over diets, alliances, the future of intellectual property and the search for winning apple varieties. Among important stories not making the top ten were shrinking apple area worldwide, loss of support for generic promotions, the weakening of opposition to GMOs and the continuing failure of the WTO to advance trade liberalization in agriculture.

Choosing Your Optimal Product Portfolio
One of the three most critical decisions facing apple producers, packers and marketers is what portfolio of products to choose. This article argues that there is no substitute to understanding the changing tastes of consumers and choosing products that reflect consumer preferences. Retailer desires are also important. These preferences and desires need to be checked by objective tests. Apple organizations can also mine the knowledge already existing among their management, employees, their families and their extended contacts of suppliers and customers.

U.S. Agricultural Trade Surplus to Disappear in 2005
For many years, the agricultural sector in the U.S. has consistently had a trade surplus (the value of exports exceeded that of imports) where the U.S. in total has had a trade deficit. USDA forecasts suggest an agricultural trade deficit will occur for the first time in five decades in the year ending September 2005. This outcome could weaken agriculture's case for special assistance from the U.S. government. It could also promote protectionist sentiment within U.S. agriculture and make negotiations on bilateral and multilateral trade deals more difficult.

Special Statistics
World: Exports of Apples, Pears and CAJ, 1995-97 and 2003 (table).
Southeast Asia: Market Share of Fresh Apple Imports, 1995-2003 (chart).

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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